CARSON CITY - Today, State Senator Julia Ratti (D-Sparks) released the following statement after Senator Dean Heller’s deciding vote to overturn an Obama-era rule that prevents states from barring Planned Parenthood from receiving Title X funds allocated to states for family planning.

“I am extremely disappointed that Senator Heller cast the deciding vote that puts access to family planning services for millions of women at risk. Here in Nevada, Title X provides family planning funding in all corners of the state, from Las Vegas, to Reno, to our rural communities. Investments in family planning and affordable birth control lead to better health outcomes for women, fewer unintended pregnancies, and save taxpayers money. We should be ensuring that more funds go to groups, like Planned Parenthood, that provide such services, not less.”

According to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services August 2016 report, the Southern Nevada Health District, Carson City Health and Human Services, Washoe County Health District, and the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health are all recipients of Title X grants.